Amateur Radio

[InbetweenDreams]

I'm an Extra (and a VE), but I haven't actually spent much time on the radio. I'm just good at taking tests. The material on the General exam isn't much different from the Technician, so you really ought to upgrade. I almost passed the General by only studying for the Tech. (As you might know, they usually offer the next test for free when you pass one.) My partner is a long-time ham, so I had some help with studying. The material for the Extra is much harder, especially if you aren't experienced in the technical bits.

Anyway, I'm not into it as a hobby, but it seemed like a good set of skills to have. I'm teaching myself CW now. The ringtones on my phone spell out the names for my frequent contacts.

I think I recall taking the test for the general and missed it by two questions. Perhaps when I renew my license or move to a more "ham-friendly" place, which ever comes first I'll look at upgrading.

I've started looking at CW, but haven't really spent enough time on...been a couple crazy weeks and just started a few weeks ago with that.

I like the science behind a lot of it. I do call our ARES net here often and that's it for the most part, kind of a sleepy town and hard to get a lot of the people to want to do anything besides lunch... If that can even be agreed on.